CONTENTS IN BOX
FootWarmer CUSTOM Power Plus m4 and Power Plus m3 both
contain:
•2 Battery Packs with Integrated Heat Regulator
•1 Pair of Heating Elements with Self-Adhesive Fabric Covers
and Strips
•1 Recharger (global input 100-240VAC, 50/60Hz) with North
American and European Plug Adapters
•Operating Instructions & Limited Warranty Card
OVERVIEW
The Hotronic FootWarmer is dedicated to your foot wherever it goes and
easily transfers from one type of footwear to another. Based on
computer technology, Battery Pack"s micro-controller permits four (4)
temperature-duration settings. High quality, rechargeable NiMH batteries
are selected for cold temperature performance. Heating Elements locate
directly under toes. Recharger globally accepts input ranging from
100-240VAC, 50/60Hz. Following temperatures and durations are
approximations only as ratings are affected by recharging process and
various tolerances of batteries and electronics. Durations are
determined when Battery Packs are used in ambient temperature of
-4°F (-20°C).
TEMP
PERATURE & DU
URATION CHAR
RT
Approx. Avg
g. Temp. Range
Duration
n Range
Set. °C °F Power Plus m4 Power Plus m3
1 28°-32° 83°-89° 19-21 hrs 15-17 hrs
2 36°-41° 96°-106° 7-9 hrs 5.5-7 hrs
3 40°-47° 105°-116° 5-6.5 hrs 3.5-5 hrs
4 57°-62° 135°-144° 2.5-3.75 hrs 2-3 hrs
OPERATING BATTERY PACK SETTINGS
1. To turn on or off, press-and-hold ON or OFF until LED light is ON or
OFF (~2.0 seconds).
2. To change setting, press-and-hold or until setting LED light
changes (~0.5 seconds).
3. Once selected, setting 4 auto-resets to setting 3 after 3 minutes
(“timed setting 4”). (“Timed setting 4” LED lights are ON continuously
and do NOT blink.)
4. To use “continuous setting 4”, start at “timed setting 4”, then press
and hold until all LED lights blink (~5.0 seconds). (“Continuous
setting 4” LED lights BLINK continuously until setting is changed.)
5. DO NOT USE “TIMED SETTING 4” or ”CONTINUOUS SETTING 4”
for more than three minutes at a time as it may become too hot and
may result in burns. SEE CAUTIONS REGARDING BURNS.
BATTERY PACK LED LIGHTS (LEDs)
1. Battery Pack LEDs indicate power is on or off and setting selected.
LEDs do not indicate charge level.
2. LEDs will not light when batteries are fully discharged, are below
minimum voltage cutoff level, or do not have enough power to heat
Element.
EXCESS HEAT ON ANY SETTING, INCLUDING OFF
1. WHEN BATTERY PACK LED stays ON and CANNOT BE TURNED
OFF, water may be around electrical contacts, may cause Heating
Element to become hot at any setting, and MAY RESULT IN BURNS.
See CAUTIONS REGARDING BURNS.
2. WHEN BATTERY PACK IS ON ANY SETTING, INCLUDING OFF,
and you feel your foot getting hot, you think you might be getting a
burn, or you experience any early warning sensations of a burn,
IMMEDIATELY UNPLUG Heating Element from Battery Pack and
IMMEDIATELY REMOVE your foot from FootWarmer. See
CAUTIONS REGARDING BURNS.
USING HEAT SETTINGS
1. Use FootWarmer to maintain comfort and warmth. (Note: Prevent feet
from getting cold. Warming cold feet requires more energy, is less
effective, and is not intended use of FootWarmer.)
2. Before going into cold, set at 1, 2, or 3 to maintain comfort and
warmth.
3. For additional burst of heat, set to “timed setting 4”. “Timed setting 4”
auto-resets to setting 3 after 3 minutes.
4. DO NOT USE “TIMED SETTING 4” or ”CONTINUOUS SETTING 4”
for more than three minutes at a time as it may become too hot and
may result in burns. SEE CAUTIONS REGARDING BURNS.
5. Heat does not thermostatically cycle on and off. Settings 1 and 2
maintain warmth AND save energy.
WHAT TO EXPECT OF HEAT SETTINGS
1. Expect imperceptible heat to maintain comfort and warmth.
2. Do not expect “fireplace toes”.
3. Learn what personally works best over time.
4. Think of your FootWarmer as Thermo Active Insulation (TM). As cold
penetrates through insole, it draws heat off Element rather than toes.
Balanced heat is imperceptible yet maintains comfort and warmth.
Too much heat and feet feel excess heat. Too little heat and feet feel
cold penetrating through.
5. If feet are comfortable yet feel excess heat, turn to lower setting to
minimize perspiration and maximize battery duration.
6. If feet begin to feel cool, turn setting up to maintain comfort and
warmth.
7. If you think FootWarmer is not working, try turning left Battery Pack
off. If left foot becomes colder, FootWarmer is working.
8. Ability to feel heat and maintain comfort and warmth depends upon:
proper installation; type, fit, and dryness of footwear, sock, and insole;
foot callus size; activity levels; weather conditions; and other factors.
9. Expect bottom of toes to feel heat less than fingers and hands.
COMFORT AND WARMTH RANGES
When first learning use of FootWarmer, following chart may help in
setting selection. Chart represents approximate ranges for comfort and
warmth maintenance. First determine outside temperature then select
setting based on personal sensitivity to cold. More sensitive select left of
range. Less sensitive select right.
COMFO
FORT A
AND W
WARM
MTH RA
RANGE
ES
OU
UTSID
DE TEM
MPER
RATUR
RES
° C >0 0 -4 -7 -10 -12 -15 -18 -21
Setting F >32 32 25 20 15 10 5 0 -5
1• ••••
2••••••
3••••••
!USING the FOOTWARMER POWER PLUS
THE STRENGTHS OF HOTRONIC"S FOOTWARMER POWER PLUS!
Winter Season 10-11!Page 3
KEEPING FEET WARM!
TIPS ON BATTERY PACK OPERATING TEMPERATURES
1. When going into temperatures below freezing (where Battery Packs
may be exposed), turn Battery Packs minimally to setting ONE as this
protects batteries from freezing and any harm that may occur due to
freezing.
2. Do not operate Battery Packs that have been OFF and in
temperatures below freezing as it may harm batteries and cause
Battery Packs to function improperly or not at all.
TIPS ON USING FOOTWARMER
1. Extremely poor circulation or extremely cold conditions may require
setting 2 or 3 for comfort and warmth. Extra Battery Packs extend all
day comfort and warmth.
2. Do not allow chair lift to hit you! Damage may result to you and your
FootWarmer.
3. Be careful walking down stairs! Battery Packs may catch stair edge
when mounted on back of boots.
4. Place heated insole (fabric surface up) directly underneath socked
foot. Do not place another insole over heated insole.
5. Proper fitting boots help maintain comfort and warmth. Tight boots
and improper fit restrict blood flow and compromise comfort and
warmth.
DRY BOOTS! DRY SOCKS!
1. If boots and socks are wet, expect cold feet.
2. Wet conductive heat loss is 23 times greater than dry heat loss. (W.
L. Gore & Associates, 1994)
3. Feet perspire more than any other part of your body except your head
and hands. Each foot perspires about 1/4 cup of water a day at rest
and one full cup when active. (W. L. Gore & Associates, 1994)
4. Maintain dry boots! Dry after each use! Each additional day of
moisture buildup makes warm feet more difficult. Consider boot dryer
(i.e., Hotronic"s Snapdry Boot & Glove Dryer).
5. Remove inner boots to dry between liner and boot shell.
6. Maintain dry, clean socks! Change midday for afternoon comfort and
warmth.
7. Use single pair of medium weight socks. Select wool blend,
polypropylene®, or thermax® type socks to wick moisture away and
keep feet dry and warm.
8. Do not use thick socks, neoprene socks, or reflective sock liners as
these keep heat from toes.
9. Do not use cotton or other moisture absorbing socks.
RECHARGING BATTERY PACKS
•CAUTION - WARRANTY: Use Hotronic"s White Plug Recharger
ONLY for Power Plus m4 and Power Plus m3 Battery Packs. Using
other than Hotronic"s White Plug Recharger voids Warranty.
•CONDITIONING CHARGE: When Battery Pack is new or has not
been used for more than 2 months, it is recommended to charge
Battery Pack for 48 to 72 hours uninterrupted. Conditioning Charge
brings new, unused, or unconditioned Battery Pack to full duration
and temperature potential.
•FULLY CHARGED IN 3 HOURS OR LESS: Hotronic"s White Plug
Recharger detects when Battery Pack is fully charged and
automatically switches to trickle current recharging after
approximately 3 hours or less of full current recharging. Fully
charged, properly conditioned Battery Pack reaches full capacity
potential. Fully charged, unconditioned Battery Pack does NOT reach
full capacity potential. (See Conditioning Charge.)
•RECOMMENDED OVERNIGHT RECHARGING PROCESS:
Hotronic"s Recommended Recharging Process helps maintain
properly conditioned Battery Pack throughout season by recharging
overnight.
•SUMMER AND LONG TERM STORAGE: Recharge Battery Pack as
per instructions for Recommended Overnight Recharging Process,
turn Battery Pack off, and store without Recharger or Heating
Element plugged in. RECOMMENDED BEST STORAGE
TEMPERATURES range from 5°-25°C (40°-80°F).
•ELECTRIC INPUT: Recharger accepts electric input ranging from
100-240VAC, 50-60Hz.
•OCCASIONAL FULL DISCHARGE: While not required of NiMH
batteries, Hotronic recommends an occasional full discharge before
fully recharging to help maintain optimal strength. Use “continuous
setting 4” for quickest discharge. Battery Pack is fully discharged
when Heating Element is no longer warm and all LEDs are off.
RECHARGE WHEN BATTERY PACK IS OFF: Hotronic recommends
recharging when Battery Pack is off. (Battery Pack is off when all LEDs
are off.) However, Battery Pack MAY be recharged at any setting. If
recharging while on setting 1, 2, 3, or 4, DO NOT CHANGE SETTING
DURING RECHARGING as this may cause recharging process to stop.
1. Plug Recharger into wall outlet using correct plug adapter (North
American, European, or other).
a. Recharger performs short self-test with brief red LED followed by
brief green LED and then LED off.
2. Attach each Battery Pack to Recharger.
3. Recharger LED is continuous red when detecting Battery Pack status
and during initial current and full current recharging.
a. If Battery Pack status is not okay or is not compatible, Recharger
LED will blink red within 20 minutes of continuous red.
b. Maximum duration for continuous red is approximately 3 hours at
which time Recharger LED becomes green.
4. Recharger LED is green once Battery Pack is fully charged and
indicates trickle current recharging.
a. One Battery Pack may reach full charge before other.
5. Battery Pack may be removed at any time during recharging process
and may be re-attached to Recharger at any time.
6. Once Recharger LED is green or when Recommended Overnight
Recharging Process is complete:
a. Unplug Battery Pack from Recharger.
b. Unplug Recharger from wall outlet.
7. To maintain maximum charge after recharging, turn Battery Pack off
and store without Recharger or Heating Element plugged in.
WHAT TO EXPECT OF BATTERY PACKS
1. Expect all battery types to lose strength over time.
2. Expect optimal performance of newer Battery Packs.
3. Expect optimal performance with use shortly after recharging.
4. Expect less than optimal performance after recharging as each day,
week, or month passes before use.
5. Expect much less than optimal performance from Battery Packs
stored for 2 months or more. (See Conditioning Charge.)
6. Battery self-discharge rates may range from 1 to 3 percent per day.
7. When Battery Packs are unplugged and left on settings 1, 2, 3, or 4, a
slight increase in discharge results.
8. When unplugging Recharger from wall outlet, also unplug Battery
Packs from Recharger. When not unplugged, damage may occur to
Recharger and a slight increase in Battery Pack discharge may occur
regardless of setting.
!USING the FOOTWARMER POWER PLUS
THE STRENGTHS OF HOTRONIC"S FOOTWARMER POWER PLUS!
Winter Season 10-11!Page 4
KEEPING FEET WARM!
TIPS ON RECHARGING
1. When Recharger green LED is on (trickle current recharging), Battery
Pack may remain on Recharger indefinitely.
2. However, as further protection against possible battery damage,
Hotronic DOES NOT recommend leaving Battery Pack on Recharger
for extended periods of time such as 24 hours (except during
Conditioning Charge), one week, or one month.
3. To confirm wall outlet is NOT controlled by switch, plug in Recharger,
attach Battery Pack, and confirm continuous red LED status.
Recharger"s red LED is on continuously when outlet current is active
and goes off within seconds when outlet is turned off by switch.
4. One or two Battery Packs may be recharged on one Recharger per
above instructions.
5. One Power Plus m4 Battery Pack and one Power Plus m3 Battery
Pack may be recharged simultaneously on same Recharger.
6. Hotel room razor outlets (and other Ground Fault Current Interrupter
outlets) are not recommended.
TIPS ON SUMMER & LONG TERM STORAGE
1. For summer and long term storage, recharge Battery Pack as per
Recommended Overnight Recharging Process instructions, turn
Battery Pack off, and store without Recharger or Heating Element
plugged in.
2. Prior to use after summer and long term storage, perform Battery
Pack Conditioning Charge for 48 to 72 hours uninterrupted.
3. Do not store (or keep overnight) Battery Pack at temperatures above
105°F (40°C) as this will harm batteries.
4. Do not store (or keep overnight) Battery Pack at temperatures at or
below freezing (32°F) (0°C) as it may harm batteries.
5. Do not store (or keep overnight) Recharger at temperatures below
-4°F (-20°C) or above 149°F (65°C) as this may harm Recharger.
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS TIPS
1. All Hotronic FootWarmers within a given model essentially have same
total energy output. Tolerances in micro-controllers, micro-processors,
micro-chips, and batteries result in any setting being slightly warmer
while not lasting as long and vice versa.
2. Battery Packs are water resistant. Should water get inside, hold,
shake, and place upside down until dry. See CAUTIONS
REGARDING BURNS.
3. Heating Elements and Insoles are water resistant. If wet, drying
completely prolongs life.
4. Replacement parts and accessories are available at your Hotronic
Dealer.
5. Sending in Warranty Card helps insure proper coverage.
CAUTIONS REGARDING BURNS
Use of Hotronic FootWarmer may result in burns. The higher the
temperature setting, the higher the risk of burns.
•IT IS USER"S RESPONSIBILITY TO:
•Properly use Hotronic FootWarmer according to Instructions.
•Understand his or her own individual sensitivity to heat and
susceptibility to burns.
•Understand his or her own individual early warning sensations of
a burn.
•Remove his or her feet from source of heat before a burn may
occur.
•SOME EARLY WARNING SENSATIONS OF A BURN are:
•When any area of your feet becomes hot.
•When any area of your feet feels like you are standing on a
small pebble or pointed object and may or may not feel hot.
•The colder one"s feet are, the sharper the sensation may feel.
•Early warning sensations of a burn may differ from person to
person.
•IMMEDIATELY UNPLUG Heating Element from Battery Pack and
IMMEDIATELY REMOVE your foot from FootWarmer if you feel your
foot getting hot, if you think you might be getting a burn, or if you
experience any early warning sensations of a burn. Do not reuse
FootWarmer until you are certain your foot is no longer at risk of being
burned. SEE A PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY if you think you have a
burn.
•DO NOT USE heat setting 4 for more than three minutes at a time. It
may become too hot for continuous use and may result in burns.
•CONSULT WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN prior to using FootWarmer if you
might have any physiological condition or are using any medication or
drug which increases skin sensitivity or reduces skin sensation to
heat. Such physiological condition or medication increases risk of
burns. Some physiological conditions or medications which increase
skin sensitivity or reduce skin sensation to heat are calluses on feet,
diabetes, cardiovascular problems, nervous system disorders,
Raynaud"s syndrome, and tetracycline. Other physiological conditions
or medications which increase skin sensitivity or reduce skin
sensation to heat may exist.
•DO NOT WAIT until your feet are cold to turn temperature setting up
because cold feet reduce skin"s sensation to heat and increase risk of
burns.
•DO NOT USE damp or wet socks because presence of moisture
increases heat transfer and may increase risk of burns.
•DO NOT USE Hotronic Heating Element (1) without fabric covering
Heating Element or (2) with Heating Element directly exposed on
surface of insole.
•NOT RECOMMENDED FOR USE by infants, toddlers, children, or
individuals incapable of knowing, understanding, or acting upon early
warning sensations of a burn.
•DO NOT USE while consuming drugs or alcohol because these may
increase skin sensitivity, reduce skin sensation to heat, or reduce
one"s ability to detect early warning sensations of a burn. Such drugs
or alcohol may increase risk of burns.
•DO NOT USE while sleeping.
•WATER AROUND ELECTRICAL CONTACTS may cause Heating
Element to become hot at any setting and MAY RESULT IN BURNS.
•WHEN BATTERY PACK LED stays ON and CANNOT BE TURNED
OFF, water may be around electrical contacts, may cause Heating
Element to become hot at any setting, and MAY RESULT IN BURNS.
If you feel your foot getting hot, think you might be getting a burn, or
experience any early warning sensations of a burn, IMMEDIATELY
UNPLUG Heating Element from Battery Pack and IMMEDIATELY
REMOVE your foot from FootWarmer. Dry out Battery Pack, plug
area, and Heating Element plug. Do not use again until Battery Pack
LED CAN BE TURNED OFF. Consider Battery Pack LED a water
presence indicator. MAINTAIN CAUTION REGARDING BURNS at all
times.
CAUTION: USE HOTRONIC BRAND COMPONENTS ONLY
•DO NOT USE any non-Hotronic branded, look-alike components with
the Hotronic FootWarmer as it MAY BE UNSAFE and MAY RESULT
IN BURNS.
•Connecting any Hotronic battery pack or heating element with a non-
Hotronic battery pack or heating element MAY RESULT IN BURNS at
any setting including “0” (off).
!USING the FOOTWARMER POWER PLUS
THE STRENGTHS OF HOTRONIC"S FOOTWARMER POWER PLUS!
Winter Season 10-11!Page 5
KEEPING FEET WARM!
•Connecting any Hotronic battery pack or recharger with a non-
Hotronic battery pack or recharger MAY BE UNSAFE.
•Contact Hotronic directly if you have any questions regarding this.
CAUTIONS REGARDING RECHARGING
•Recharger is FOR INDOOR USE ONLY.
•Recharger is INTENDED FOR CORRECT ORIENTATION AND
CONNECTION to power outlet at all times.
•Recharger is intended FOR USE ONLY WITH rechargeable Nickel-
metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries as specified in Operating Instructions.
•DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RECHARGE other types of rechargeable or
non-rechargeable batteries with this Recharger (other than NiMH as
specified in Operating Instructions) as this may cause personal injury
and damage to Recharger.
•KEEP DRY. TO PREVENT FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK, do not
expose this unit to rain or moisture.
•DO NOT OPERATE THIS RECHARGER with damaged plug.
•DO NOT REPAIR OR ATTEMPT TO REPAIR Recharger, Battery
Pack, or any other Hotronic branded electrical unit, component part,
or accessory in any situation.
•NOT INTENDED FOR USE by young children or infirm persons
without supervision.
•SUPERVISE YOUNG CHILDREN to ensure they do not play with
Recharger and / or any component part or accessory of FootWarmer.
•WHEN THERE IS AN EMERGENCY CASE, immediately unplug all
Battery Packs from Recharger and unplug Recharger from power
outlet. Contact Hotronic distributor or dealer.
•SOME EMERGENCY CASES are smoke coming from Recharger,
shape change, liquid or material leakage, and unit dropped and
broken. Other emergency cases may exist.
CAUTIONS
•ATTACH BATTERY PACK SECURELY at all times as loss of Battery
Pack is NOT covered under Manufacturer"s Limited Warranty.
•SETTING 4 HAS INCREASED IN TEMPERATURE (as of 7/95) and
MAY RESULT IN BURNS.
•USE OF FOOTWARMER DOES NOT ASSURE that freezing or
frostbite of foot will not occur. As always, use caution and good
judgment when you are in cold temperatures.
•DO NOT CAUSE ELECTRICAL LEADS in plug area of Battery Pack
to touch as there is DANGER OF A SHORT CIRCUIT.
•DO NOT USE FOOTWARMER IF ANY BATTERY PACK
ELECTRICAL LEADS ARE BENT such that any two leads may
contact upon further use. Such contact may cause an increase in
temperature output of Heating Element and MAY RESULT IN BURNS
or such contact may result in a SHORT CIRCUIT.
•DO NOT DAMAGE Battery Pack by use of undue external force.
•DO NOT DISPOSE of Battery Pack by throwing in a fire as there is
DANGER OF EXPLOSION.
•DO NOT PUT ANY METAL OBJECTS into plug area of Battery Pack
as there is DANGER OF A SHORT CIRCUIT.
•DO NOT CAUSE UNDUE OR EXCESSIVE WEAR, TEAR, OR
ABRASION to Power Cord as there is DANGER OF A SHORT
CIRCUIT.
•INSPECT ALL RECHARGER AND HEATING ELEMENT POWER
CORDS for exposed wires prior to plugging into Battery Packs or
electrical outlet as exposed wires may result in a SHORT CIRCUIT.
•DO NOT WRAP RECHARGER OR HEATING ELEMENT POWER
CORDS AROUND BATTERY PACKS while plugged into Battery
Packs as this may result in a SHORT CIRCUIT.
•DO NOT PLUG RECHARGER PLUG INTO BATTERY PACK
BACKWARDS as there is DANGER OF A SHORT CIRCUIT.
•DO NOT CUT Power Cord or Heating Element.
•DO NOT KINK Power Cord or Heating Element.
•BATTERY PACK MAY CONTAIN HAZARDOUS MATERIALS and
may require specific disposal. Contact Hotronic distributor or dealer or
local recycling agency for proper disposal method.
!USING the FOOTWARMER POWER PLUS
THE STRENGTHS OF HOTRONIC"S FOOTWARMER POWER PLUS!
Winter Season 10-11!Page 6
KEEPING FEET WARM!
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